Preparatory Program Structure
Admission Criteria
The majority of students entering the PMU Preparatory Program will be graduates of the secondary school science stream of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, students of other nationalities and from other countries also will be admitted if they have received equivalent secondary school preparation.
All students applying for admission must submit a satisfactory overall average on the General Secondary Education Certificate and satisfactory scores on standardized tests.
Click here for more information on admission criteria.
Student Level Placement
Students' initial instructional levels will be determined by an English placement test administered before the beginning of the semester. They are placed in one of four levels: pre-beginner, beginner, intermediate, or advanced. See below and the PMU Admissions website pages for more information. Alternatively, they present a valid IELTS or TOEFLibt result from test taken within two years of application and their rest results determine their level. Full details about undergraduate placement testing for admissions are given in the PMU Admissions website pages. Click here for more information about undergraduate admissions placement testing.
The International English Language Testing System
IELTS
| Level |
IELTS Overall |
IELTS Writing |
| CORE |
6.0 |
5.5 |
| Advanced |
5.0 |
4.5 |
| Intermediate |
4.5 |
4.0 |
| Beginner |
4.0 |
3.5 |
| Pre-Beginner |
N/A |
N/A |
| The validation of the IELTS certificate |
|
Two years from the date of IELTS test to the commencement date of the applied semester |
Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based Test
TOEFL ibt
| LEVEL |
TOEFL iBT Overall |
TOEFL iBT Writing |
| Core |
83.0 |
19.0 |
| Advanced |
63.0 |
15.0 |
| Intermediate |
54.0 |
13.0 |
| Beginner |
42.0 |
11.0 |
| Pre-Beginner |
N/A |
N/A |
| The validation of the TOEFL iBT report |
Two years from the date of TOEFL iBT test to the commencement date of the applied semester |
Aptis Placement Test
| LEVEL |
Course ID |
Listening Score |
Minimum Reading Score |
Speaking Score |
Minimum Writing Score |
Overall Score |
| Pre Beginner |
PRPC/PRPW 0002 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
<48 |
48 |
| Pre Beginner |
PRPC/PRPW 0002 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
49 |
64 |
| Beginner |
PRPC/PRPW 0021 |
|
7 |
|
7 |
65 |
95 |
| Intermediate |
PRPC/PRPW 0041 |
|
16 |
|
16 |
96 |
129 |
| Advanced |
PRPC/PRPW 0061 |
|
20 |
|
20 |
130 |
164 |
| Advanced / CORE |
PRPC/PRPW 0061 |
|
20 |
|
30 |
>165 |
Take IELTS |
| PMU Placement Scale |
|---|
| CEFR Level A1 |
Pre-Beginner |
| CEFR Level A2 |
Beginner |
| CEFR Level B1 |
Intermediate |
| CEFR Level B2 |
Advanced |
| CEFR Level C1 |
Core |
Sequence of Courses
The Preparatory Program classes build one upon the other in a sequence. Students must master English language competencies measured in terms of student learning outcomes at lower levels before they can successfully participate in and benefit from higher level classes.
The “ideal” sequence below in EFL, mathematics, and Theories and Applications of Learning I and II (study skills I and II) shows the progression of a well-prepared and highly-engaged student who begins at the pre-beginner level. Unless that student needs to repeat a course, due to withdrawing from it or failing it, he or she can expect to finish in four semesters. Students entering at the beginner level can complete the program in three semesters and those who enter at intermediate level in two semesters. Students who begin at the advanced level can complete English and study skills in one semester as they need only take study skills II, but they will have to complete the second semester of the mathematics requirement in their first semester in Core. Upon completing the program, the student is appropriately prepared for success in the Core Curriculum and major classes that will follow.
| PREPARATORY PROGRAM - STUDY PLAN |
| FIRST SEMESTER - Pre-Beginner |
SECOND SEMESTER - Beginner |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Contact Hours |
Course Number |
Course Title |
Contact Hours |
| PRPE 0002 |
Pre-Beginner Enhanced Learning |
2* |
PRPE 0021 |
Beginner Enhanced Learning |
2* |
| PRPC 0002 |
Pre-Beginner Communication Skills |
10 |
PRPC 0021 |
Beginner Communication Skills |
10 |
| PRPW 0002 |
Pre-Beginner Writing Skills |
10 |
PRPW 0021 |
Beginner Writing Skills |
10 |
| Total Contact Hours |
22* |
Total Contact Hours |
22* |
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| THIRD SEMESTER - Intermediate |
FOURTH SEMESTER - Advanced |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Contact Hours |
Course Number |
Course Title |
Contact Hours |
| PRPI 0041 |
Intermediate Enhanced Learning |
2* |
PRPA 0061 |
Advanced Enhanced Learning |
2* |
| PRPC 0041 |
Intermediate Communication Skills |
10 |
PRPC 0061 |
Advanced Communication Skills |
10 |
| PRPW 0041 |
Intermediate Writing Skills |
10 |
PRPW 0061 |
Advanced Writing Skills |
10 |
| PRPL 0011 |
Theories and Applications of Learning I (Study Skills I) |
2 |
PRPL 0012 |
Theories and Applications of Learning II (Study Skills II) |
2 |
| PRPM 0011 |
Introductory Algebra |
5 |
PRPM 0012 |
Intermediate Algebra** OR |
5 |
| PRPM 0022 |
Pre-Calculus** |
6 |
| Total Contact Hours |
29* |
Total Contact Hours |
29* or 30* |
| |
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|
PREE 0061 |
Core Entry Exam |
0 |
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| * Staffing permitting, in times of higher than expected enrollment, the course may not be offered. |
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| ** Mathematics course depends on major: |
| Intermediate Algebra |
Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Graphic Design, Human Resource Management, Information Technology, Interior Design, Law, Management Information Systems |
| Pre-Calculus |
Architecture, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering |
Preparatory Program Satellite
Beginning in fall 2022, some Preparatory Program courses are offered at the Satellite in Al-Nuzha, Dammam.
Courses are taught by experienced Preparatory Program instructors and run by Preparatory Program administrators. The curriculum, assessment and IT services at the satellite are the same as the main campus. Registration automatically enrolls all new Preparatory Program students in courses. Students at both campuses participate in similar extra-curricular activities, for example, Saudi National Day and International Day.
The Director and Associate Chair visit the Dammam satellite on a regular basis and as needed. They are available to have meetings with instructors and students in person, online, or by phone.
| Courses Taught at Dammam Satellite |
Women's Pre-Beginner and Beginner Levels
|
Summer Session Courses
- The schedule is determined by student enrollment and instructor availability.
- Due to lower student enrollment, pre-beginner and beginner courses are not always available in summer.
- The summer session has fewer weeks than the spring and fall semesters. Therefore, English classes are
seven hours a day. The total number of hours of instruction is the same in summer as in fall and spring.
- Due to the intense schedule, students may take English and Theories and Applications of Learning OR
take mathematics and Theories and Applications of Learning. A schedule with English, mathematics,
and Theories and Applications of Learning is not possible in summer. A schedule with English and
mathematics is not possible in summer.
| Summer Course Combination Possibilities |
| English Courses |
YES |
| Theories and Applications of Learning (study skills) |
| Mathematics course |
YES |
| Theories and Applications of Learning (study skills) |
| English courses |
NO |
| Mathematics course |
| English courses |
NO |
| Mathematics course |
| Theories and Applications of Learning (study skills) course |